Ambedkar Jayanti 2022: 14 April

Context

Ambedkar Jayanti (also known as Bhim Jayanti) is celebrated on 14 April to commemorate the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. 

• The Day has been observed as an official public holiday throughout India since 2015.
• In 2022, we are marking the 131st birth anniversary of Babasaheb.

Important facts about Babasaheb

• Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891.
• He struggled for equality throughout his life. Thus, his birthday is also celebrated as “Equality Day”. 
• India has placed a demand to celebrate his birthday as International Equality Day to the United Nations.
• He was also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar.
• In 1956, he converted to Buddhism.
• Dr Bhim has been bestowed with the country’s highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna in 1990 posthumously.

Significant Contributions

• The contributions of Dr B R Ambedkar have been significant. He fought for protecting the rights of the Dalit community through organising several events. 
• The notable events include Equality Janta, Mook Nayaka, etc.
• In 1932, he signed the Poona Pact with Madan Mohan Malaviya. Malaviya signed it on behalf of Gandhi. 
• According to the agreement, reserved seats were provided for depressed classes. Because of the pact, the depressed classes received one hundred and forty-eight seats instead of seventy one seats.
• In 1936, Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party.
• The Congress Government had invited him to become the first Law Minister when the country was freed from the British administration on 15 August 1947.
• He was deputed as a Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee on 29 August 1947.
• He crafted the new constitution for the country and is known as the Father (chief architect) of the Indian Constitution.
• The Constituent Assembly had adopted the new constitution on 26 November 1949.
• His contributions have been enormous in establishing the Central Bank of India, which is the Reserve Bank of India, as he was an economist.
• Since he was an economist, Dr B R Ambedkar played a vital role in comprehending the Indian economy.
• He authored three books: “The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and its Solution,” “Administration and Finance of East India Company,” and “The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India.”
• After the Lahore resolution, in 1940, he wrote a book called “Thoughts on Pakistan”. 
• The book analysed the concept of Pakistan.
• In his other book called “Who were the Shudras?”Ambedkar wrote about the untouchables.
• People were motivated by him for the growth of the agricultural sector and industrial activities. 
• He also motivated people for better education and community health.
• The Dalit Buddhist Movement was inspired by him.